Chapter Five
THE DAYS WENT BY INa blur as Rebecca and the children settled into a routine. Every morning, she rose before Levi, and every night, she tucked into bed before he came upstairs. It was hardly what she’d expected from this new marriage, yet she was grateful for Levi’s consideration.
Christmas passed with a very welcome visit from Rebecca’s sister Eleanor, and her new husband, Merrick Benton. Having Eleanor nearby made the day feel more celebratory. Eleanor brought candy and small toys for the children, and Rebecca cooked a feast for them all to enjoy.
They saw Eleanor and Merrick off early in the evening, and after Rebecca put the children to bed, Levi surprised her with a small silken bag.
“What is this?” Rebecca set down the cloth she was using to clean the table.
Levi shifted, looking uncomfortable in his own skin. “It’s your Christmas gift.”
A lump rose in Rebecca’s throat. She’d gifted him with a knitted scarf earlier in the day, and he’d presented the children with another bed—but she’d kept her disappointment in the fact that he’d given her nothing to herself.
It hadn’t meant anything, she’d decided. There simply hadn’t been enough time. And perhaps money was tight, with it beingwinter and all. But now, here he was, making her heart alight like a grasshopper in summer.
Carefully, she drew back the strings that tightened the little bag. Inside sat a simple band of gold.
“It isn’t much,” Levi said, his eyes on the ring as she lifted it out to admire it.
Rebecca blinked back tears. “It’s beautiful.” The lamplight caught the gold, making it shine. She thought of her other ring, the one John had given her. It sat wrapped in a handkerchief upstairs, its edges battered with wear and its shine dulled from work. She’d always thought of it as representative of her love for John—durable and imperfect.
Perhaps like that one, this ring represented something new. Possibilities she hadn’t ever considered.
“I thought you deserved something nicer,” he said. His eyes had strayed to hers, and she smiled in return as she pulled off the inexpensive band he must have purchased in a hurry when she finally agreed to his proposal.
Rebecca held out her hand to admire the new ring. She wanted to ask why he hadn’t given it to her earlier, when the children and her sister could have admired it. But it only took one glance up at his face to understand why.
Levi Whiteside didn’t much care for attention. He was quiet and hardworking and honorable . . . and that was nearly all she knew about him.
Struck with a sudden curiosity, Rebecca asked the first question that flew into her head. “What were your Christmases like growing up? Ours were always loud and rambunctious, with aunts and uncles and cousins.”
Her question seemed to catch him off guard, and he stared at her a moment before speaking. “Quiet, I suppose, but enjoyable.”
Rebecca waited a moment, hoping he’d share more. When he didn’t, she asked, “Was it just you and your brother, or do you have other siblings?”
“Only the two of us.” He smiled a little, as if he were thinking of fond memories.
Encouraged, Rebecca went on. “Even after I married, we continued our big family Christmas celebrations. I looked forward to them every year. I missed seeing my parents this year, but I did so enjoy our Christmas here. Did you and Edward return home for Christmas after you were grown?”
“For a while.” He paused, and she waited for him to elaborate. “The ring appears to fit well,” he said after a moment.
“It does.” Rebecca forced herself to smile at him. “Thank you.”
He nodded once and excused himself to go outside.
She stared at the door after he left, wishing he’d shared more. But it was a start, at least. Lips pursed, Rebecca went about her work. She’d learn more about this man if she had to drag it out of him, piece by piece.
Over the next couple of weeks, Rebecca peppered their conversations with innocuous questions. It wasn’t easy, given how frequently Levi left the house to see to the livestock or ride the fields. Why he needed to ride about the perimeter of the property in the snowy cold of winter, Rebecca couldn’t imagine. But given the fact that he never left the house unarmed, she assumed he was looking for men who might be trespassing or wild animals that could pose a danger to the chickens or the livestock.
By mid-January, she’d learned a handful of useful facts about her husband. His favorite time of day was sunset. He’d grown up on a farm in Arkansas. He loved apple pie and detested turnips. He held a deep love for animals, and found the chickens’ antics to be hilarious. And perhaps best of all, he seemed to be growingto enjoy the children’s different personalities. He’d listen to Roger talk for a solid thirty minutes about the best way to build a fort, and he’d taken to smiling affectionately at Emmy when she wrapped her arms around his leg.
It was a start, Rebecca figured, as she retrieved the apple pie she’d made from the cupboard.
